Cena appeared on the show in late 2020 alongside A$AP Ferg and Grimes. The episode featured a stunt where Cena threw Andre through a bookcase.
“I’m pretty sure I gave him a concussion. We’ve been in contact for a while,” Cena told Entertainment Weekly.
Despite the injury, the two have maintained a relationship. They will reunite on screen for Netflix’s Little Brother film, set to release on June 26.
What’s Next for Cena
Cena is scheduled to make “history making news” at WWE Backlash. The announcement comes as the 17-time world champion continues balancing his wrestling career with Hollywood projects.
He posted what he called an “emergency wrestling take” on social media, warning that the situation could have widespread consequences for the locker room.
Coachman didn’t mince words about WWE asking talent to renegotiate existing deals. He framed it as a fundamental shift in how the company operates under the TKO system.
“My emergency wrestling take: why asking talent to renegotiate is just the start of a slippery slope that feels like an absolute power struggle backstage,” Coachman posted on his social media.
My emergency wrestling take: why asking talent to renegotiate is just the start of a slippery slope that feels like an absolute power struggle backstage.
Coachman Compares Current WWE to Vince McMahon Era
The veteran broadcaster drew a sharp contrast between current WWE practices and how things operated during Vince McMahon’s tenure. He emphasized that contract renegotiations after deals were already signed simply didn’t happen during his time with the company.
“In my entire time in the WWE… never once did I hear of Vince McMahon asking a talent after they had already agreed to a deal,” Coachman stated in his video.
He warned that The New Day’s exit is just the beginning if WWE continues this approach.
“It’s not going to stop with The New Day. And this is why it’s such a problem.”
Respect and Fairness at the Core of the Issue
Coachman broke down why he believes Kingston and Woods chose to leave, pointing to respect as the central issue. He argued that asking talent to renegotiate existing agreements sends the wrong message.
“If you’re going to disrespect me… that’s exactly what it is,” Coachman explained. “At some point, fairness has got to bleed into the conversation.”
He predicted that WWE could see an exodus of talent if the pattern continues.
“Now you’re going to start to see it go the other way… when all these talents start to leave,” he warned.
Coachman closed his take with a blunt assessment of the renegotiation strategy.
“Renegotiation. That ain’t it.”
The comments add another voice to the growing conversation about WWE’s contract practices under TKO ownership. What began as a story about The New Day’s departure has evolved into a broader discussion about talent relations and business practices in the company.
Former WWE star Carmella recently provided an update on her recovery from eye surgery, sharing details about her healing process 72 hours after undergoing upper and lower blepharoplasty.
The former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion posted to her Instagram stories to show fans her progress following the procedure to fix droopy eyelids.
Carmella Details Recovery Progress
The bruising has started to turn yellow, which Carmella noted is a positive sign of healing. She revealed that while swelling and discoloration remain, she’s already noticing results from the surgery and experiencing improved vision.
“Okay, we are 72 hours post-op. The bruising is starting to turn yellow, which is amazing. That means we’re healing,” Carmella said.
“Still swelling, of course, but I mean, everything’s gone down so much. I’m already starting to see the results, and I’m obsessed. A couple more days of this discoloration, I’m sure, but we’re getting there.”
She continued:
“Feeling great. I’m seeing a lot better today, so I’m really happy about that. Just trying to rest, and I’m not icing quite as much; it’s worse. Like I said, it’s been 72 hours, but the only reason I like to ice because it helps me keep my eyes shut all the way. And they’re still getting a little dry, but that’s what eye drops and all that are for. I’m obsessed.”
Carmella hasn’t competed in the ring since March 2023. During her time away from WWE, she had two children with commentator Corey Graves.
Her contract with WWE expired in February 2025 and was not renewed by the promotion. She recently teased a potential return to in-ring action, though no specific plans have been announced.
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has voiced his disagreement with WWE’s recent decision to release the Motor City Machine Guns. He also said that WWE President Nick Khan took half of WrestleMania 42’s net revenue.
The WWE Hall of Famer made his stance clear during a Q&A session on his Kliq This podcast. He discussed the April 24 wave of roster cuts. The releases of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin caught Nash’s attention among the departures announced that day. He said:
“I would not have gotten rid of the Motor City Machine Guns, that’s for damn sure.”
Nash’s comments reflect the surprise some fans felt about the tag team’s exit. The Motor City Machine Guns had been part of WWE’s roster before the company decided to part ways with them.
Kevin Nash Jokes About Executive Compensation
When asked if the latest round of cuts surprised him, Nash said not really, especially after seeing recent reports about TKO executive compensation. He joked about WWE President Nick Khan’s earnings in relation to the roster decisions.
“Not after like two weeks prior when I see what the CEOs [are making]. What Nick’s getting paid. I mean, Nick took f***ing half of the WrestleMania net [laughs],” Nash said. “But I’m busting his balls because we sat here and went over the numbers and the year before was 1.4 billion. The next year, you’re 1.7 billion. So that’s 300 million.”
Nash also acknowledged that Khan has delivered significant financial growth for WWE. Khan reportedly earned $24.3 million in total compensation for 2025, including a $2 million base salary, $11 million in stock awards, and over $10 million in bonuses.
Sports agent Nick LoPiccolo recently revealed that he once unknowingly drove off in John Cena’s Escalade.
LoPiccolo had mistaken it for his own identical vehicle and the mix-up happened after a WWE event where multiple matching SUVs were parked in the same area.
LoPiccolo shared the story during an appearance on BodySlam.net’s podcast with Famous Davis. He was discussing life around top WWE talent and the chaotic environment after shows when he recounted the incident.
“I accidentally took John Cena’s Escalade… I swear to God. Same color, same everything… same exact Escalade. I get in, I’m driving, I leave… I’m gone… and then I get a call like, ‘Where are you?’ and I’m like, ‘I’m in the car.’ And they’re like, ‘That’s not your car.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And they’re like, ‘That’s Cena’s Escalade.’ And I’m like, ‘What?!’ I literally took John Cena’s Escalade by accident… same exact car, same everything… I had no idea.”
Identical Vehicles Led to Mix-Up
The situation only occurred because both Escalades were identical in every way. There was nothing that would have tipped LoPiccolo off until someone else noticed and called him.
What started as a routine exit turned into LoPiccolo unknowingly driving away in one of wrestling’s biggest stars’ SUV.
WWE’s massive talent cuts following WrestleMania 42 shocked fans, but the releases were primarily about roster management rather than performance issues.
Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer revealed that nearly all WWE talent can be released at any time, regardless of their contract length.
The cuts affected wrestlers in the middle of multi-year deals, leaving many surprised despite the standard contract language. The New Day’s subsequent departure from the company added to the upheaval.
No-Cut Contracts Extremely Rare in WWE
Meltzer explained the contract reality on Wrestling Observer Radio.
“I believe that there may be one or two guys with no cut contracts in WWE, but it’s very, very few,” he said. “I know top guys who tried to get no cut contracts and they were told no, and they’re also told ‘we’re never going to cut you,’ but they still wouldn’t put it in writing.”
It was further noted that most wrestlers sign contracts believing they have job security for the full term.
“You think you got a contract for five years, and then a year into it they cut you. It sucks,” Meltzer stated.
“But it’s also something that you have to know when you sign that contract that they could do unless you sign a no cut contract.”
Roster Size Management Strategy
According to Meltzer, the releases follow a familiar pattern.
“The cuts are more roster size than anything else and Vince McMahon did the exact same thing,” he explained. “Most of the cuts are people in the middle of contracts. There may be one or two no-cut contracts but for 99 percent of the talent they can be cut at any time.”
Meltzer highlighted that contract restructuring mid-term also occurred under previous WWE leadership.
“Restructuring of contracts in the middle was not common, but it did happen under McMahon many times,” he said. “Nothing is new here.”
Roman Reigns recently pulled from all four previously advertised June episodes of WWE Raw. The World Heavyweight Champion was originally scheduled to appear on June 1 in Turin, June 8 in Paris, June 15 in Baltimore, and June 22 in London.
According to Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com, the change is directly tied to WWE Night of Champions 2026. Reigns is not scheduled to work the Saudi Arabia premium live event on June 27 at Kingdom Arena.
“Regarding Roman Reigns being pulled from June TV dates that were announced, the reason we were told is that he’s not going to be on the Saudi Arabia PPV and thus there was no reason to do the TVs building that show,” Meltzer reported.
“If he loses the title next week, of course that would be a change and there will be more to the story. If he retains, that’s probably all it is.”
Backlash Title Defense Could Change Plans
Reigns is still advertised for the May 11 episode of Raw in Knoxville, the night after WWE Backlash 2026. He defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu at Backlash on May 9 from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
If the title changes hands at Backlash, WWE’s plans for Reigns could shift. If he retains, the June absence appears to be a straightforward scheduling adjustment around the Saudi Arabia event.
Shift From Full-Time Promise
The update marks a notable change from Reigns’ recent comments following WrestleMania 42. The champion emphasized he did not intend to work a limited, part-time schedule during his current run and planned to remain active throughout the summer.
WWE star recently shared a disturbing story from her teenage years in her new memoir “Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives.”
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion detailed an uncomfortable encounter with an older wrestler during a trip to Scotland when she was just 14 years old.
According to the book, a wrestler named Jay began following Paige around and crossed boundaries during training. What started as playful behavior in the ring quickly escalated into something far more serious.
“Jay was chatty with me straightaway. He wasn’t shy about conversing with me, that’s for sure. He followed me around everywhere,” Paige wrote.
“We were in the ring training, and then he rolled in and started getting playful. I just thought it was funny. He chased me around the building, trying to tickle me. Well, he caught me and grabbed me. Turned me upside down and shoved his face in between my legs. At that point, I stopped laughing, and it made me feel uncomfortable.”
Drew McIntyre Steps In
The situation came to a head later that night after Paige’s match. Jay approached her again and made another inappropriate comment, but this time Drew McIntyre overheard and immediately confronted him.
“Later on that night, I sat in the corner, trying to cool down after my match. Jay found me right away. ‘Wow… you look like you just had sex. It’s so sexy.’ This time, though, Drew heard,” Paige recalled.
“‘What the f**k did you just say to her?’ Jay had gained some undeserved confidence from what he had gotten away with earlier. With a creepy smile that I’ll never forget, he gave the same half-aed excuse, sure he would be let off the hook again. It didn’t work.”
McIntyre pulled Jay away for a private conversation that Paige could hear through the walls. The confrontation had an immediate and lasting effect on Jay’s behavior.
“Drew looked furious. ‘Let’s go talk.’ Drew grabbed him by the back of his neck and pulled him away. Even through the walls, I could hear the muffled yelling from Drew as he lost it on Jay in the other room,” she wrote.
“Whatever Drew said, it worked. From that day on, Jay did not make eye contact with me. Didn’t try to talk to me. Didn’t send me inappropriate messages. Didn’t chase me around and shove his face in between my fourteen-year-old legs as a ‘joke.’”
Speaking Out About Past Experiences
Paige has been open about difficult moments from her career and personal life. This revelation from her memoir adds another layer to her story and highlights the challenges young performers can face in the wrestling business.
The book provides an unfiltered look at her journey through the industry, including moments that shaped her both inside and outside the ring. Paige has made it clear she’s not holding back in sharing her experiences.
WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles recently shared his thoughts on Kairi Sane’s release from WWE.
‘The Phenomenal One’ admitted that he doesn’t understand the decision given her strong position on television. The former WWE Champion addressed the situation on the Phenomenally Retro podcast, making it clear the timing didn’t make sense to him.
Styles pointed out how strong Sane’s position looked alongside Asuka, particularly as part of their tag team. He praised her recent work and questioned why WWE would make the move now.
“Kairi Sane—yeah, I think that’s where everybody’s a little confused. With Asuka and her as a tag team, and then it just kind of… we don’t know exactly what the case is. That one caught me off guard as well because it was a great tag team thing. I feel like Kairi is doing her best work right now.”
What’s Next for Kairi Sane
Styles openly admitted he doesn’t have answers about Sane’s future. He threw out possibilities including a return to World Wonder Ring Stardom in Japan, but made it clear nobody knows what direction she’ll take.
“I wish I had answers—I don’t. I don’t know what this means for her. Is she done wrestling? Is she going to go back to World Wonder Ring Stardom? What’s next for Kairi Sane?” he said. “But I know she was loved, she was amazing, and I just hate that.”
The former WWE Champion addressed speculation about Sane potentially returning to Japan, referencing her previous departure while making it clear he doesn’t believe this was her choice.
“I will say this—the first time she left, she went home to Japan. I don’t know if that has anything to do with this. I doubt it was her choice, because I felt like she was really rolling well,” Styles explained. “But I get it—if you’re living in another country, you’re always going to want to go home at some point.”
The Reality of WWE Cuts
Styles zoomed out to discuss the business side of WWE releases, pointing to space, time, and money as factors rather than anything personal. He referenced other recent cuts including the Motor City Machine Guns.
“I’m sure it comes down to space, time, and money. It’s not anything like it used to be. Even back then, guys would get cut—like the Motor City Machine Guns, I love those guys,” he said. “My biggest fear in my own career was that I wouldn’t get to finish what I started.”
He wrapped up with a message for Sane and others in similar situations, stressing that a release doesn’t define a career.
“That’s the tough part—you sign to do something, and you don’t get to finish it. That’s going to bother you. But don’t let it destroy who you are,” Styles said. “You made it to one of the biggest wrestling companies in the world—that says everything. We don’t know the circumstances, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for you. Just keep your head up and see where the next chapter takes you. It might be wrestling, it might not—but don’t let it break you.”
Saudi Arabia had the opportunity to purchase WWE and would have kept Vince McMahon in charge. However, they ultimately decided not to make an offer. The revelation sheds new light on how close WWE came to a dramatically different ownership structure.
Dave Meltzer addressed speculation about WWE’s potential sale to Saudi Arabia during a discussion on social media. According to Meltzer, the Saudi government had a real chance to acquire the company before the TKO merger.
“The saudis had an opportunity to buy wwe and they would have kept Vince in charge if they had. They ended up deciding not to make an offer. Emanuel did not make the offer he did to flip it.”
The saudis had an opportunity to buy wwe and they would have kept Vince in charge if they had. They ended up deciding not to make an offer. Emanuel did not make the offer he did to flip it https://t.co/2cN02YDCCA
WWE remained under McMahon family control for decades until allegations forced Vince McMahon out of the company. Triple H took over as Chief Content Officer, while Nick Khan became CEO.
The company merged under TKO Group Holdings in 2023, with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel leading the acquisition. Meltzer noted that Emanuel did not make the offer with plans to flip the company.
Saudi Arabia’s WWE Relationship
Saudi Arabia has maintained a strong partnership with WWE since 2018, hosting multiple premium live events. The relationship expanded WWE’s global presence and brought major shows to the region.
Despite the ongoing partnership and continued events in Saudi Arabia, a full acquisition never moved forward. The Saudi government ultimately decided against making an offer for the company.
Danhausen is on the hunt for a tag team partner, and he’s aiming for the biggest names in WWE history. During this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the fan-favorite superstar earned himself a match at Backlash 2026 against The Miz and Kit Wilson.
However, there’s one condition: SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed Danhausen that the match will only become official if he can get a tag team partner for the match. That’s where things get interesting.
In classic Danhausen fashion, the superstar took to social media to recruit help from a list of WWE legends, many of whom have long since retired. That list includes “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, AJ Styles, John Cena, Stardust, Kurgan, Mideon, and Papa Shango. He wrote:
“Hello Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Undertaker, AJ Styles, John Cena, Steve Austin, Stardust, Kurgan, Mideon Papa Shango,” Danhausen wrote on X, tagging each of their accounts. “How does 400 human dollars sound to come out of retirements and team with Danhausen?!”
The New Day members Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston were granted their WWE release. Now, WWE stars The Usos, AEW stars MJF and Cash Wheeler posted their reactions on social media.
As per Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez, Woods and Kingston parted ways with WWE after they asked to restructure their current deals with TKO. The pair had been with the company as part of the New Day faction since 2014.
MJF and Cash Wheeler React
Both AEW stars referenced New Day’s signature catchphrase following the departure.
MJF posted to his Instagram Stories: “It’s a new day…. yes it is.”
Cash Wheeler of FTR posted on X: “Cot damn. It’s a new day. Cot damn.”
Wheeler and tag team partner Dax Harwood have clashed with New Day multiple times while both teams were in WWE during 2019. The teams, then known as The Revival, faced off in several six-man tags alongside Randy Orton that year.
In 2019, Big E and Kofi Kingston defeated The Revival to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles. New Day retained the championships against The Revival at the TLC pay-per-view in Minneapolis on December 15, 2019.
Meanwhile, The Usos and The New Day have dominated WWE’s modern tag team division with classic title matches and rivalries.
Woods and Kingston’s departure from WWE marks the end of New Day’s 12-year run with the company.
Cody Rhodes’ wife Brandi Rhodes recently came up with a humorous reaction to what went down on WWE SmackDown.
Gunther recently attacked Cody Rhodes on the latest edition of SmackDown following Rhodes’ victory over Ricky Saints. ‘The Ring General’ applied a sleeper hold and held the WWE Championship high, signaling his intentions as Rhodes’ next challenger.
Officials attempted to break up the assault, but the former World Champion continued the attack before eventually releasing the hold. He then grabbed Rhodes’ WWE Championship and held it above his head in a clear statement of intent.
Brandi Rhodes Reacts
In an X post, Cody Rhodes’ wife Brandi Rhodes made a humorous comment that their oldest daughter, Libby, wanted to use one of her infant sister’s diapers to stink up Gunther’s bus.
“Libby wants to put one of her sisters dirty diapers on Gunther’s bus. I think that’s a good start and we can just build from there.”
Libby wants to put one of her sisters dirty diapers on Gunther's bus. I think that's a good start and we can just build from there.
Gunther last appeared at WrestleMania 42, where he defeated Seth Rollins. Bron Breakker played a decisive role in that match, returning to spear Rollins before the finish.
Rollins and Breakker have continued their feud since WrestleMania, with a match scheduled for next weekend at Backlash. Gunther now appears positioned to challenge Rhodes for the WWE Championship in the coming weeks.
WWE Hall of Famer JBL believes WWE President Nick Khan’s recent comments about WrestleMania 44’s location suggest the company is planning something bigger than a domestic venue.
Khan made waves at a recent WWE town hall meeting when he told employees to wait until they hear where WrestleMania 44 will be held. The cryptic tease has sparked widespread speculation among fans and industry insiders about whether WWE is finally ready to take its biggest event overseas.
International Destination Speculation
During an appearance on the Something To Wrestle podcast, JBL indicated he has several international cities in mind that could host what he described as a “truly historic” WrestleMania. The comment comes as WWE continues expanding its global footprint under TKO Group Holdings ownership.
“I don’t know. I’m interested. He really teased where they’re going to be for that WrestleMania. And no offense to Nashville, I love Nashville. I think it’s something bigger than Nashville. I think it’s overseas. It seems like an overseas thing.
And if it is, you know, I think you gotta look at the big cities. I think you gotta look at London. Think you gotta look at Tokyo, and you gotta look at something like Sydney. I think would be the ones to me. But it might be something like Mumbai.”
“There are some real opportunities out there. I would love to be a fly on the wall and see who all is trying to get WrestleMania for that year,” JBL added.
WWE has increasingly focused on international markets in recent years, running premium live events in Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other territories. A WrestleMania held outside North America would represent the company’s most ambitious international move to date.
The company has not officially announced a location for WrestleMania 44. Khan’s comments at the town hall meeting remain the only public indication of the company’s plans for the 2028 event.
The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes addressed the possibility of facing CM Punk in a dream match, expressing uncertainty about whether the bout will ever materialize.
The match has been heavily teased since Punk returned to WWE in late 2023. The latest tease came on the Raw after WrestleMania, where Rhodes told the ‘Best In The World’ to name a time and a place for a potential showdown.
Speaking with ESPN’s TikTok, the WWE Champion acknowledged the match would be “really great” for wrestling but admitted the reality is complicated.
Rhodes Explains the Complications
Rhodes named Punk as a dream opponent but admitted putting the match together would be difficult.
“Fans think it might happen but I think is very hard to put together,” Rhodes said. “The likelihood of it happening, who knows? Wrestling has gotten more — it’s difficult, you know? We’re collaborators these days, so it’s difficult.”
“I don’t know if he’d want that and I don’t know if I’d want it,” Rhodes continued. “But, I know just it would be really great and be very good for wrestling.”
Rhodes is set to open Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown on May 1. The appearance comes as the WWE Champion continues his reign after defeating his former Legacy teammate Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.
AEW’s Rebel revealed on Friday that she has been diagnosed with terminal ALS after a two-year medical journey to determine the cause of her health issues. The diagnosis came while she was preparing for lung surgery at Mayo Clinic.
Brooks shared the news in an emotional video posted to social media. She thanked fans for their prayers throughout her medical journey while acknowledging the difficult nature of the diagnosis.
“First, I want to say thank you for all your prayers, because for those who know, I spent a two-year medical journey trying to find out what is wrong,” Rebel said in the video.
“And finally, our prayers have been answered. The thing is, sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer to our prayers.”
She explained that doctors at Mayo Clinic discovered the ALS diagnosis while she was waiting to have lung surgery for masses on her lungs.
“The doctors have diagnosed me with terminal ALS. There is not a lot of research behind ALS, and we don’t know how long I have, but it explains why I have trouble walking and talking, and all my functions will soon decline.”
Rebel specifically thanked AEW owner Tony Khan for his support throughout her medical journey.
“I wanna say thank you to Tony Khan and AEW for supporting me on this medical journey. It has been a blessing that is unheard of. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” she said.
Two-Year Medical Journey
Rebel’s health issues began in May 2024 when she was hospitalized for a mass on her lung that was eventually determined to be pneumonia. In June 2025, she underwent surgery to remove a tumor.
In November last year, Rebel shared that she had been diagnosed with primary pulmonary lymphoma, a rare lymphoma involving the lungs. She revealed in February that she was in an inpatient rehabilitation program.
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Rebel asked fans to “please continue to pray for a peaceful journey and a peaceful passing.”
Brock Lesnar’s emotional retirement at WrestleMania 42 may not be permanent. His WWE future could depend entirely on the outcome of the ongoing Janel Grant lawsuit involving Vince McMahon.
Billi Bhatti addressed the speculation during the Dirty Sheets Wrestling Informer podcast. He dismissed reports that Lesnar went into business for himself at WrestleMania by leaving his boots in the ring without WWE’s knowledge.
“As for the Brock Lesnar stuff, I’d love to lie and shed some light on the subject, but I can’t. What I do know is that Brock Lesnar didn’t decide to do the retirement in the ring and shock Triple H,” Bhatti said. “That was what’s being reported, that he just did it. He went into business for himself because he didn’t want to lose to Gunther. I don’t think that’s the case.”
Legal Situation Could Determine Return Timeline
Bhatti connected Lesnar’s status directly to the legal situation surrounding McMahon and Grant. He suggested WWE is waiting to see how the case develops before making final decisions about Lesnar’s career.
“If Brock Lesnar has genuinely retired, it is down partly down to the Janel Grant stuff and WWE being concerned about something else that’s going to come out,” Bhatti stated.
“The conclusion of that Janel Grant, Vince McMahon, Brock Lesnar stuff will all happen before SummerSlam,” Bhatti explained. “If it turns out that that is going to be settled out of court and it’s going to require an out of court settlement, then Vince McMahon will be back in the WWE in some capacity.”
“And Brock Lesnar then will probably also return to do a retirement match at SummerSlam,” Bhatti said.
However, if the legal proceedings go to trial and Lesnar faces heavy implication, his return timeline could extend significantly.
“But if he’s heavily implicated and this trial doesn’t go the way that many are expecting… then if it goes all the way, then I don’t think Brock will come back for SummerSlam. Maybe he’ll come back for next year’s WrestleMania,” Bhatti noted.
WWE Believes Lesnar Not Done Yet
Despite the uncertainty, Bhatti indicated that WWE internally believes Lesnar’s career is not finished.
“But the feeling in the WWE that he’s not done. So I don’t think this will be his retirement,” he said.
Lesnar’s loss to Oba Femi at WrestleMania 42 appeared to mark the end of his legendary WWE run. The emotional moment of leaving his boots in the ring suggested a final farewell to the company where he became one of the most dominant performers in history.
Kairi Sane’s release from WWE was a shocker and an update has emerged on why she was let go.
Sane was among several names cut from the WWE roster as part of post-WrestleMania 42 releases. The 37-year-old wrestler was in the middle of a storyline teasing her standing up to Asuka’s bullying and reuniting with Iyo Sky when the angle was abruptly dropped.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported that it was influenced by the company’s belief that she wanted to eventually move back to Japan.
Dave Meltzer clarified the situation after outlets misinterpreted earlier comments on Wrestling Observer Radio as Sane requesting her release.
WWE’s Decision-Making Process
According to Meltzer, WWE’s belief that Sane would like to move back to Japan at some point factored into their decision to release her, despite her being actively involved in programming.
“The biggest surprise on the list was Kairi Sane (Kaori Housako, 37). She was in the middle of a program where they were teasing her eventually standing up for herself against the bullying of Asuka and getting back together as a team with Iyo Sky. But the angle was dropped cold,” Meltzer wrote.
“While most were surprised, we were told part of it was the belief she wanted to move back to Japan at some point and with that knowledge it was part of the decision making.”
Meltzer added that “talent is rarely told the actual reason they are let go past budgeting purposes.”
Sane Addresses Speculation
Sane responded to speculation about her departure on social media earlier this week, clarifying that she did not request her release.
“What I can say is I know there’s been a lot of speculation, but I truly love this work, my teammates, and my fans. I’ve never walked away, and I’ve given my all in everything I do. I hope you’re all doing well ??”
What I can say is I know there’s been a lot of speculation, but I truly love this work, my teammates, and my fans. I’ve never walked away, and I’ve given my all in everything I do. I hope you’re all doing well ??
Meltzer responded on social media to clarify his reporting, stating he “didn’t say she walked away” but rather that “this was the reason WWE gave for the release.”
Former World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk has been accused by a second fan of a physical altercation in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend. The incident allegedly occurred at the MGM Grand on April 20, 2026, at 12:31 a.m.
TMZ published audio from a 911 call placed by a Spanish-speaking male fan who accused Punk of pushing and chopping him in the chest. The fan was attempting to get a picture and an autograph from WWE superstars at the time.
“So I was here waiting for the WWE superstars, and I was trying to get a picture and maybe an autograph from them,” the man’s translator is heard saying on the call. “When I got close, the star CM Punk pushes me and chops me from my chest.”
The fan told authorities he did not require medical attention. When asked if Punk appeared intoxicated, the man stated that “his face was red and his eyesight was full of anger.”
The caller also confirmed Punk was not carrying a weapon, noting “None. He only had a briefcase on his left hand.”
Second Incident Over WrestleMania Weekend
This marks the second accusation against Punk from WrestleMania weekend. Shortly after the event, footage surfaced showing Punk slapping a cell phone out of a fan’s hand in a Las Vegas hotel lobby while the fan was filming AJ Lee and Bayley.
The earlier incident occurred as the two wrestlers were saying goodbye and hugging in the hotel lobby.
WWE WrestleMania could return to Nashville, Tennessee.
Reports have emerged that WWE is in active negotiations with Nashville, Tennessee, to host a future WrestleMania at the city’s new Nissan Stadium, according to reports from Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline and WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select.
The development marks a renewed push by the city to land wrestling’s biggest annual event.
The new Nissan Stadium is scheduled to open in 2027, will serve as the future home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. The 70,000-capacity venue would provide WWE with a state-of-the-art facility for the Premium Live Event.
Timeline and Competition
City officials hope an announcement regarding the event could be made soon, Fightful reported on Thursday. However, if finalized, the Nashville WrestleMania likely won’t take place for several years.
WrestleMania 43 is scheduled for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. WWE is also expected to return to New Orleans, Louisiana, for a future WrestleMania, though no timeline has been specified. New Orleans was originally slated to host the 2026 event before WWE changed plans and booked a return to Las Vegas instead.
Matt Hardy believes fans haven’t seen the last of Brock Lesnar in WWE. The former WWE star who played a crucial role in Lesnar’s rookie year shared his prediction during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, suggesting The Beast will return to the ring despite his emotional retirement at WrestleMania 42.
“I don’t know, I think we’ll see him again. I think we’ll see him again,” Hardy said during his appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Lesnar lost to Oba Femi in a squash match at WrestleMania 42. After the contest, an emotional Lesnar removed his gloves and shoes in the ring before hugging Paul Heyman.
Michael Cole confirmed on RAW after WrestleMania 42 that The Beast had officially hung up his boots.
The Hardys Built Brock Lesnar
Before Brock Lesnar was the youngest WWE Champion in history, he was a 24-year-old rookie who needed someone established to beat. Matt and Jeff Hardy were that someone.
Lesnar’s first real program out of OVW was against the Hardy Boyz, and the way WWE booked it, with referee stoppages instead of pinfalls, was the foundation of the “Next Big Thing” presentation that carried him to the top of the company in under five months.
Backlash 2002 and the TKO Template
Lesnar’s first televised match came against Jeff Hardy at Backlash on April 21, 2002. The finish was not a pinfall. Referee Teddy Long called the match when Jeff could no longer respond, giving Lesnar a knockout-style win that immediately set him apart from every other heel on the roster.
The next night on Raw, April 22, 2002, Matt Hardy got the same treatment. Another referee stoppage, another protected loss, another visual of an established star unable to continue. Two consecutive nights of TKO finishes against half of the most popular tag team of the Attitude Era is how WWE communicated, without saying it, that Lesnar was different.
The Tag Program
The feud extended into tag team matches involving Paul Heyman. At Insurrextion on May 4, 2002, the Hardy Boyz got a measure of revenge over Lesnar and Shawn Stasiak, but Lesnar and Heyman bounced back to defeat the Hardys at Judgment Day on May 19. The series gave Lesnar a babyface tandem to chase, then beat, then move past on his way to the King of the Ring tournament.
The SmackDown Rematches
Even after Lesnar moved to SmackDown and won the WWE Undisputed Championship at SummerSlam 2002, Matt Hardy remained a useful name for him to run through.
Lesnar defeated Matt on the August 29, 2002 episode of SmackDown in a non-title squash that reinforced the gap between the new champion and the rest of the roster. The two would meet again on the January 2, 2003 episode of SmackDown and on April 10, 2003, with the same result each time.
Why It Mattered
Lesnar’s rocket push is usually told through the milestones: King of the Ring win, SummerSlam main event over The Rock, the youngest WWE Champion record.
The setup work, the Hardy Boyz program, gets less credit than it deserves. Matt and Jeff were already over with the live crowd, and being beaten via TKO by an unknown rookie meant something. WWE spent that equity deliberately, and Lesnar’s first 18 months as a main eventer were built on the back of it.
Alexa Bliss recently confirmed that her “Dark Alexa” character is permanently retired out of respect for late WWE star Bray Wyatt and his family. The darker persona was closely tied to her on-screen alliance with Wyatt before his passing in August 2023.
Bliss made the announcement in a Cameo video for a fan, explaining the significance of the character and why she has chosen to leave it in the past. She returned to WWE in January 2025 with a completely new character after months away from television.
Bliss Explains Decision to Retire Dark Persona
In the Cameo video, Bliss addressed questions about whether she would ever bring back the darker version of her character. She made it clear that chapter of her career is closed.
“Now, about Dark Alexa. While I love that it meant something to you, it meant so much to me as well. That chapter is very special and very close tied with my time with Bray [Wyatt],” Bliss said. “Out of respect for him and the Wyatts, I like to keep that version of myself exactly where it is. For the time, it is retired and untouched.”
Bliss is currently teaming with Charlotte Flair in the women’s tag team division. The duo recently competed for the women’s tag team titles at WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Her new character marks a fresh direction for the former multiple-time champion as she continues her WWE career without the darker elements that defined her previous persona.
Roman Reigns captured the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42, but WWE officials are taking a different approach to his second major title run.
Reigns defeated CM Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 42 Night Two to win the World Heavyweight Championship, marking his first title victory in two years. His previous reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion lasted 1,316 days before Cody Rhodes ended it at WrestleMania 40.
As per Fightful, there is no internal pressure on ‘OTC’ to replicate his previous record-breaking reign.
WWE’s New Approach to Reigns’ Title Reign
The outlet reported that WWE’s goal this time is to pile accolades and deliver strong storylines rather than attempting to replicate the historic length of Reigns’ last championship run. The previous reign is widely considered one of the most dominant in WWE history.
Reigns has confirmed he is back full-time and plans to appear on WWE television throughout the summer. This marks a shift from his part-time schedule in recent years.
World Heavyweight Championship Defense at Backlash
Reigns will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu at WWE Backlash 2026 on May 9. The Premium Live Event takes place at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, and will stream on ESPN+ in the United States and Netflix internationally.
Former NXT star Cezar Bononi has publicly defended CM Punk after the former World Champion became the target of steroid accusations on social media.
The controversy began when a Twitter user suggested Punk was on “gear” after images surfaced showing him in notably improved physical condition. Bononi quickly addressed the claim, calling it baseless and part of a larger pattern of questioning any physical transformation.
“CM Punk is on steroids—this is what this random user is talking about right here. Just the most absurd thing, that when somebody has any changes in their physique, the first thing that’s pointed out is steroids,” Bononi said in his Instagram video.
“First thing—kudos to Punk, kudos to Jay Ferruggia, one of the best coaches around.”
Bononi Questions Lack of Evidence
Bononi emphasized that Punk’s physique is achievable naturally and criticized those making accusations without medical evidence. He pointed out that no one making these claims had access to bloodwork or other proof.
“This physique right here is very, very achievable naturally. There’s zero indication of any steroids used right here, but people will say whatever they say just to get their point in and catch attention. Did you have access to his bloodwork? How can you say something like this?”
Defense Goes Beyond Punk
The former WWE superstar also addressed the broader issue of people diminishing others’ achievements. He argued that fans often try to tear down accomplishments they cannot replicate themselves.
“When somebody achieves something most people don’t, the first thing we do is diminish it. Even if he was taking something, he still had to put the work in,” Bononi explained.
“If you cannot achieve something, you better believe that some other people can. Just don’t point at whatever you believe they are doing to bring others down so you can feel a little bit better.”
Bononi made clear he was not taking a stance on steroid use in general, but rather defending Punk against what he viewed as unfounded accusations.
Chris Jericho will not appear on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
Jericho returned to AEW television on the April 1 episode of Dynamite, ending months of speculation about his future with the promotion. Since his return, he has been locked in a rivalry with Ricochet and The Demand.
In his first match back after nearly a year away, Jericho faced Ricochet at the Dynasty 2026 pay-per-view but came up short. Following that loss, he joined forces with Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin of The Hurt Syndicate to battle The Demand as a team.
Now, PWInsider has reported that the veteran is currently in New York City filming a TV project. No additional details about the project have been disclosed at this time. Jericho’s absence comes as he remains involved in an ongoing feud with Ricochet and The Demand.
Recent Loss on AEW Collision
This past Saturday on Collision, Jericho teamed with Lashley and Benjamin to face Ricochet, Toa Liona, and Bishop Kaun in a trios match. Ricochet once again got the better of Jericho, winning the match after delivering a low blow followed by a Ricosault.
Tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite will take place from EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.
